Operator means for automobile doors having pushbutton latches



J ne 24,1969 J.J.IV K0I 3,451,167

OPERATOR MEANS FOR AUTOMOBILE DOORS HAVING PUSHBUTTON LATCHES Fil ed March 22, 1968 INVENTOR.

JOSEPH J. JVKO United States Patent ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Operator means to enable the opening of automobile doors having pushbutton door latches by persons wearing unilateral or bilateral prosthetic hand-s. The operator, which permits such persons to readily unlatch and open such vehicle doors, includes a first member for easy engagement by the hook of a prosthetic hand and a second member, operatively associated with the first member and strategically located with respect to the door latch so as to transmit a simple pulling force upon the first member into a pushing action upon the door latch thereafter into a pulling action upon the unlatched-door whereupon such a person may readily unlatch and open such a vehicle door.

The present invention relates to a door operator for automobiles having passenger compartment doors with exteriorly mounted pushbutton latches built thereinto, and more particularly, to a door operator which is especially developed for use by persons who, having lost their natural hands or for other reasons, are required to wear prosthetic or so-called artificial hands. As will become apparent, my invention also provides unexpected benefits for a normal person whose arm and. hand movement is temporarily restricted, although this benefit arises as serendipity rather than principal design.

Currently used hand prosthesis, whether associated with prosthetic forearms or upper arms or merely worn by themselves because of a missing hand, are essentially designed to provide a mechanical device which can grip, by the action of opposed spring-biased members in response to a force applied thereagainst, and which can hold by the action of a curved hook-like-portion which may also define the grip. In any event, the amputee wearing such a device has no thumb and is therefore without any convenient means to open automobile doors which employ a pushbutton latch. Since pushbutton latches are found on most of .the automobiles on the market, such, for example, as Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, Rambler, Buick, Pontiac, Mustang, Ford, and the like, persons having less than a normal hand are confronted with a real obstacle. Indeed, unless another person having at least one normal hand is nearby to help, a bilateral amputee cannot easily enter a car. Of course, such a person could engage in multiple body gyrations to effect a push on the latch button and then pull open the, door while maintaining the latch in a depressed position, but this is not considered a reasonable solution. Clearly, a real problem is presented and a serious need exists to pro videsuch folks with a better and more convenient mechanism for opening a car door. As a bilateral upper arm amputee, I, found myself confronted with and trusted by the closed-car-door situation on many occasions. Finally, I perfected an operator means for installation upon and use with such doors whereby my frustrations were alleviated and the problem was solved.

The present invention is predicated upon my design of such an operator means to solve the stated problem. My

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operator means involves a unique assemblage comprising hook-receiving means attached adjacent one end of a. specially shaped bar member which member extends into spaced facing relationship with the automobile exterior door latch pushbutton. The bar member is operable about an axis, disposed through an intermediate portion thereof, so that when an amputee engages the hook-receiving means with his prosthesis and pulls upon it, he can actuate the bar member about the axis and cause it to engage the pushbutton latch. Upon engagement of the pushbutton by the face of the bar member, a continuing pulling force by the amputee will cause the bar member to depress the latch button and unlatch the door and will thereafter cause the door to open in response thereto as soon as the latch no longer is available to restrain the doors movement. When the door is thus opened, the amputee may release his prosthetic hand from the hookengaging means and enter his car, the car door being maintained in an open position by the normal weight distribution of such doors.

Accordingly, it is a prime object of the present invention to provide operator means for automobiles having pushbutton exterior door latches which means can be easily and quickly operated by a prosthetic hand.

Another object of the present invention is to provide operator means for automobiles having exterior pushbutton door latches which permits such doors to be opened by a continuous pulling operation and eliminates the need for the person desiring to open such a door to go through the strenuous gyrations necessary to simultaneously effect a pushing and pullling action.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an operator means for automobile doors having exterior pushbutton latches which means include a prelocated eyelet member which can be easily and quickly engaged by a prosthetic hand without requiring the person having such prosthetic hands to also have exceptional dexterity.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an operator means of the type described which includes a hook-engageable member capable of readily assuming a position of optimum alignment relative to the operation of the total means.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide operator means which are inexpensive to manufacture, which may be readily installed on existing as well as new vehicles as an accessory, and which will readily and unobtrusively blend with the decor of the vehicle once installed.

These and still further objects as shall hereinafter appear are readily fulfilled by the present invention is a remarkably unexpected fashion as will be readily discerned from the following description of exemplary embodiment thereof, particularly when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

a FIG. 1 is a side elevation, partially broken away, of an automobile door having a General Motors type pushbutton latch operatively associated with an operator means embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of the operator means of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the operator means of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of an automobile door handle having an American Motors type pushbutton latch operatively associated with another operator means embodying the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the operator means of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-section taken along lines VI-VI of FIG. 5.

Referring now to the drawings wherein similar characters of references are employed to indicate like parts throughout the several views, my novel operator means, or assembly as it is referred to herein, is identified by the general reference 10. Each assembly 10, there will normally be two used with tudor automobiles and four with fordor automobiles, comprises an elongated member 11 which is attachable to an automobile door-pull 12 by means of a suitable axle-type fastener 13 such as the nut and bolt shown. Fastener 13 extends through a hole 14 which is drilled or otherwise defined in and through doorpull 12 and a second hole 15 similarly defined in member 11.

Using FIG. 2 as a frame of reference, hole 15 passes through member 11 from its top surface 16 to an through its bottom surface 17. Adjacent one end of bar member 11, is an actuating means 17 which comprises a forceengageable port-ion 18 and a stem portion 19. Forceengageable portion 18 is preferably curvilinear and most satisfactory operation is obtained by using annular portion or eyelet 20 which is preferably formed integrally with threaded stem 19. Stem portion 19 is connected to member 11 in threaded engagement in socket 21 and is turned thereinto until its desired position is attained whereupon lock nut 35 is turned down until it engages member 11 and fixes means 17 in the selected position. The preselected position will provide optimum access to eyelet 20 and will be determined by the design of the prosthetic hand worn by the user. Preferably, eyelet 20 will be disposed to provide maximum pulling force on portion 18 when engaged by the prosthetic hook.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the back surface 22 of member 11 is provided with a threaded opening 23 into which is threadedly inserted an axially extendible shank 24 which carries a tip portion 25, formed of a suitable soft resilient material, such as rubber or plastic, which can engage a car surface without marring or scratching. Shank 24 is circumscribed by suitable locking means, such as lock nut 26, to maintain bumper means 27 in a preselected but fixed position relative to member 11 for reasons which shall hereafter become apparent.

Elongated member 11, as can be seen in FIGS. 3 and comprises a major body portion 28, an intermediate portion 29, and a terminal portion 30. As can be seen, body portion 28 and terminal portion 30 are offset in generally parallel planes relative to each other while intermediate portion 29 extends obliquely therebetween to complete the member 11. Thus, intermediate portion 29 and terminal portion 30 bend away from body portion 28 and will be referred to as the bend portion of member 11.

Terminal portion 30 provides a latch push-button engaging surface 31, the function of which will become apparent hereinafter.

When thus fabricated, I find it highly desirable to plate my device as with chrome using conventional electroplating techniques. In this fashion, my means blends readily into the decor of the automobile and presents the appearance of standard equipment.

Let us now consider my means when appropriately assembled and installed on an automobile door having the General Motors type latching arrangement, (See: FIGS. 1, 2 and 3). Hole 14 is drilled or otherwise defined in door-pull 12 and my means are disposed beneath pull 12 so that hole is in registry with hole 14. The fastener 13 is then inserted through holes 14, 15 and secured to hold member 11 in a fixed vertical relationship to door-pull 12 but fully capable of pivotal movement relative thereto about the axle of fastener 13. Bumper means 27 is then adjusted by turning threaded shank 24 in opening 23 until the resilient tip portion on the remote end of shank 24 firmly engages automobile door 32 and latch push-button engaging surface 31 of portion engages but does not depress the latch push button 33. This position is the at-rest position of my means and when it is obtained, locking means 26 is engaged and the 4 relative extension of shank 24 from member 11 is fixed. Actuating means 17 are set in their desired position by inserting a prosthetic hook through eyelet 20 and pulling gently thereupon until means 17 aligns itself for maximum effectiveness whereupon locking means 35 are secured to hold means 17 in such preselected position.

To operate my means 10 when it is thus installed on an automobile having a General Motors type latching arrangement (also used by Ford and Chrysler and characterized by the displacmeent of the latch pushbutton from the door-pull or handle). I engage actuating means 17 with the hook of my prosthetic hand and apply an outwardly force, means 17 having already been set in a position for maximum responsiveness to my effort. The force of my pulling action will then cause member 11 to pivot about the axis of axle 13 whereupon latch engaging surface 31 of terminal portion 30, which prior to my action has been engaging but not depressing latch pushbutton 33, depresses button 33 and unlatches the car door. When the door 32 is thus unlatched, my continued application of an outwardly directed force permits me to open the door.

Let us now consider my means 10 when it is assembled and installed on an automobile door having the American Motors type of latching arrangement (see: FIGS. 4, 5 and 6). This type of latching arrangement is characterized by the location of the latch pushbutton 33, or push-bar, if you like, in the door-pull or handle itself.

The principal difference between the General Motors type embodiment and the American Motors type embodiment of my device is found in relative positioning of the several portions of member 11. Thus, whereas portions 28, 29 and 30 are coplanar relative a side elevation of the General Motors type embodiment (as seen in FIG. 2), they are not so disposed in a side elevation of my American Motor typs embodiment (see: FIG. 4). Instead, intermediate portion 29 extends obliquely upwardly and outwardly (relative to the car) so that it too serves to place terminal portion 30 in operative facing relationship with the latch operating mechanism 33.

Installation of my device of the American Motors type is accomplished by defining a hole 14 in door-pull 12 and placing means 10 therebeneath to bring holes 14, 15 into registry with each other and permit the insertion and securing of axle or fastener 13 whereupon body portion 28 of member 11 and door-pull 12 are secured in a fixed vertical relationship to each other while member 11 is free to pivot about axle 13.

Bumper means 27 is then adjusted as before so that when my device is in its at-rest position, latch button engaging surface 31 of terminal portion 30 engages but does not depress the latch pushbutton 33 and the resilient tip 25 of bumper means 27 firmly engages the outer surface of car door 32.

When the at-rest position is once established and locking means 26 is secured, I find that substantially no readjustment is necessary, even when bumpy roads are travelled, in order to eliminate rattle.

With means 10 thus installed on the automobile door, I am able to operate as before by engaging actuating means 17 with the hook of my prosthesis, actuating means 17 having been previously adjusted to present eyelet 20 in a position of maximum responsiveness. As I continue to apply an outwardly directed force, that is, pull, the force will cause member 11 to pivot about bolt or axis 13 whereupon latch engaging surface 31 advances inwardly to depress latch pushbutton 33. The continuance of the pulling force on means 17, further advances latch of course, by its normal balance, will remain in an open position until it is desired closed.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that new and unique operator means which fulfill all of the aforestated objectives in a remarkably unexpected fashion has been herein described and illustrated. It is further apparent that this invention will greatly facilitate the usefulness of automobiles for patients having prosthetic hands while being of assistance also to people not so disabled.

It is, of course, understood that the examples and illustrations herein presented are done so to illustrate my novel invention rather than to limit it. Thus, such modification, alterations and adaptions as may readily occur to the skilled artisan when confronted with this disclosure, are intended to be and are embraced within the spirit of this invention especially as it is defined by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

1. For use with an automobile door having a door-pull and a latch pushbutton, improved operator means comprising an elongated member pivotally attachable about a vertical axis to a door-pull and having bend portion providing a button-engaging surface adjacent one end thereof, bumper means connected to said member adjacent one end thereof, bumper means connected to said member adjacent the other end thereof and extending therefrom toward and for firm engagement with the automobile door while said surface engages but does not depress the latch pushbutton, said member being in its at-rest position, and actuating means mounted in said member remote from said surface in a preselected relationship thereto and responsive to an outwardly directed force applied thereto to pivot said member about said vertical axis and depress the latch pushbutton to release the latch, said actuating means being then responsive to a continuing outwardly directed force applied thereto to open the unlatched door.

2. Operator means according to claim 1 in which said elongated member comprises a body portion, an intermediate portion, and a terminal portion, said body portion and said terminal portion being disposed in spaced substantially parallel planes and said intermediate portion interconnecting said body portion and said terminal portion.

3. Operator means according to claim 2 in which said body portion has a threaded opening facing the major surface of the automobile door when said means are installed relative thereto and said bumper means comprises a threaded shank portion, lock means, and a resilient tip portion, said shank portion being threaded into said opening a preselected distance and secured relative thereto by said lock means whereupon said tip portion firmly eligages the door when said elongated member is in its atrest position.

4. Operator means according to claim 2 in which said actuating means comprises a stem portion and a forceengageable portion, said stem portion being connected to said body portion of said elongated member in engagement therewith and lockable in a preselected position of maximum response to an external force applied thereto.

5. Operator means according to claim 4 in which said body portion has a threaded socket disposed in an upper surface thereof and said stern portion of said actuating means is threadedly engaged thereinto and has a locking means circumscribed thereabout and moveable to a position whereby said stern portion is rendered immovable relative to said body portion.

6. Operator means according to claim 4 in which said force-engageable portion comprises an eyelet connected to and carried by said stem portion.

7. Operator means according to claim 3 in which said actuating means comprises a stem portion and a curvilinear force-engageable portion, said stem portion being connected to said body portion of said elongated member in threaded engagement therewith.

8. Operator means according to claim 2 in which said latch pushbutton engaging surface is defined by said terminal portion of said elongated member.

9. Operator means according to claim 1 in combination with an automobile door-pull having a latch pushbutton operatively associated therewith, said means including a vertically extending axle passing through the door-pull and said elongated member to secure said member in a fixed position relative to its vertical displacement from the door-pull while permitting said member to rotate about said axle in response to force applied thereto.

10. Operator means according to claim 9 in which said latch pushbutton is disposed beneath said door-pull in spaced relationship thereto.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,487,264 3/1924 Raymer 49-460 X 1,957,642 5/1934 Hansen 49278 X 3,024,054 3/1962 Eads 49278 X FOREIGN PATENTS 595,669 7/1959 Italy.

REINALDO P. MACHADO, Primary Examiner.

I, K. BELL, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 

